Overhead door construction



March 3, 1936. A. v. ROWE 2,032,768

OVERHEAD DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 18, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l INYEN I BE. fill/11L Vfiowa 50 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 VIQJZ$ l llllllllll rlllllllllrl IHYENTUE- cal/m K Roam March 3, 1936. A. v. ROWE OVERHEAD DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 18, 19

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March 3, 1936. A. v. ROWE 2,032,768

OVERHEAD DOOR CONS TRUCTION Filed Jan. 18, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 3, 1936. A: v. ROWE 2,032,768

OVERHEAD DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 18, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 n HII I u WI Wm &

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OVERHEAD DOOR CONSTRUCTION Alvin V. Rowe, Galesburg, Ill., assignor to Rowe Manufacturing Company, Galesburg, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application January 18, 1930, Serial No. 421,662 20 Claims. (01. 20-20) My invention relates generally to overhead door panels approach the limit of their door closing constructions and more particularly to improvemovement. ments in means for controlling the opening and ,Still another object of my invention is to proclosing of a plurality of connected door panels. vide a shiftable door panel arrangement which One of the problems which is presented in conis equipped with improved practical means for nection with door constructions used for door adjustably applying pressure at various positions openings of garages and structures of like nature, so as to positively efiect the-sealing of the door is that of providing a door panel which may be panels against the iambs. shifted toward and away from the plane of the Still more specifically, my invention contem- U door opening without encountering any binding p a s t pr v i of p v d means. wh y or jambing oi the panel. In overhead door conmore or less movement may be imparted transstructions, a plurality of door panels are moved versely of t door Panels o accommodate Va aalong guide rails between a substantially vertical tions n conditions under Which Said Panels are door closing position and a substantially horiused.

zontal overhead position. In certain of these de- Another object of my present invention is to vices, the door panels, as they are lowered across provide an overhead door construction includin the door opening, gradually move into abutting a plurality of hlngedly connected shiftable panrelation with the inner surfaces of the door jambs, s in whi e disengagement releasing of and as the panels reach the limit of their downthe pa from t door lambs y be omat i1) ward movement, they are wedged in position a ly effected by imparting a very slight upward against the door jamb. It will be readily apparme t to a pa sent that any expansion of the panels due to cli- Still another object of my present invention is matic changes and the like has a tendency to to p ov a door closing mechanism for use cause the same to either become bound in their with door constructions of the nature set forth closed position so as to render the shifting therewhich includes a door sealing or clamping arof decidedly inconvenient and burdensome, or rengement which is automatically operable in such changes in structure may prevent the panels response to the actuation of a mechanism for from being completely shifted to their door closclosing e upp door p ing position. These and numerous other disad- In addition to the above mentioned advanta- :j vantages and inconveniences which have heretogeous structural characteristics, y invention fore been experienced in connection with overn p a the provision of an p v hi head door constructions ma be effectively obvid st ut s u t r connecting adja t ated by employing a structure which is arranged door panels and for cooperating with guide rails in accordance with the teachings of my present. to automatically and positively insure the seal- 3; invention, ing of the panels against the door jambs and In other words, it is one of the primary 019- the quick releasing of said panels from said door jects of my present invention to provide an overlambs in response to the application of lifting head door construction comprising a plurality of force thereto. connected door panels which may be shifted be- These and numerous other objects and advan- -11) tween a substantially vertical door closing posiag s' w b o e pp m the following 40 tion and horizontal overhead position with a detailed description when considered in connecminimum amount of efiort and skill, and withtion with the accompanying drawings, wherein out the potential hazard of binding or jambing Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of an overwhich has heretofore been experienced when the head door construction which is equipped with -13 panels are shifted to their door closing position. door controllin means c ructed in accordance More specifically, my present invention conwith the teachings of my present invention, said templates the provision of an improved door conview being taken substantially alon the lin trolling arrangement, whereby considerable clear- !I of Figure 3; ance between the door panels andthe door jamb Figur 2 is an nl d cro -sectional view so is present during substantially the entire vertical of the rail and supporting bracket, said view being shifting of the panels to prevent the binding taken substantially along the line 22 of Figthereof, and to this end I propose to provide durure 1;

ably constructed and efficiently operable means, Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the whereby the tightening of the door panels structure shown in Figure 1,said view being taken against the door jamb is not occasioned until said substantially along the line 33 of Figure 1; 55

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, disclosing the door panels in a partially raised position,

of the panel hinges and a strut associated therewith, the actuating rod being shown in operative association with said strut, sald strut being shown in the position which it occupies when the panels are sealed against the door lamb, the view being" taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 7;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view-similar to Figure showing the hinge and strut assembly in an unlocked position with the tongue of the strut resting against the hinge at one extremity of the circumferential slot;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hinge and strut, said view being taken substantially along the line 'I-l of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of one or the lower corners. of the bottom panel, to disclose the locking mechanism which is located in that vicinity;

Figure 9 is a side or end elevational view of the structure as viewed from the left of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line ill-l I of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10, disclosing the door panel in an elevated position with the panel closing mechanism in its unlocked position and the panel swung rearwardly of the door jamb;

Figure 12 is a detailed elevational view of the detached locking element shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 11, disclosing the lowermost panel as it is about to be swung upwardly along the curved portion of the guide rail, and showing the shackle or strut in engagement with the locking element, whereby clearance between the lower extremity of the bottom panel and the door jamb is maintained as said panel is moved along the curved rail section;

Figure 14 discloses a modified form of looking element or finger which is controlled in response to the engagement thereof with the floor;

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14, disclosing the manner in which the modified locking element or finger, upon engaging the floor, causes the shackle or strut to be swung upwardly so as to efi'ect the sealing of the bottom panel against the door jamb;

Figure 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the structure shown adjacent the rail curvature in Figure 3, to more clearly show the uppermost panel controlling mechanism and means for operatively connecting said mechanism with the hinge members; v

Figure 17 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 16; p v

Figure 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line I 6i 6 of Figure 17 showing the structural characteristics and functioning of the panel controlling arm and trip pins; and

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the two uppermost door panels and the hinge and shackle or strut structure associated therewith, said view being taken substantially along the line |9-l9 of Figure 16.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be observed that for the purpose of I illustrating one practical embodiment of my invention I have shown the same in association with a garage structure which I have designated generally by the numeral 20. This structure includes a door opening 22, and positioned on opposite sides of this door opening is an upright member or door jamb 24. Extending downwardly from the roof structure 26 toward the rear portion thereof is a suitable support 28, Figures 3 and 4, and the lower extremity of this support provides a mounting for the rear extremity of the upper section 30 of a guide rail which I have designated generally by the numeral 32.

One of these guide rails 32 is positioned on each side of the door opening, and the upper rail sections 36 are horizontally disposed and merge into curved sections 34 which in turn terminate in vertical rail sections 36. The curved rail section 34 is secured against a bearing or gusset plate 38 which is mounted in any suitable manner against the door jamb 24.- Spaced along the vertical section 36 of the guide rails is a plurality of brackets 40, Figures 1 and 2. One extremity of each of these brackets 40 is anchored to the door jamb 24, while the other extremity is riveted or otherwise secured to the vertical guide rail section 36,as clearly shown in Figure 2. It will thus be apparent that each of the guide rails 32 is rigidly supported within the garage structure,

and that the rail section 36 is vertically positioned in parallelism with its companion upright door jamb 24.

The guide rails 32 provide means for directing the movement of a plurality of hingedly connected door panels 42, 44, 46, and 48 between a vertical door closing position, as shown in Figures 1,-

3, and 16, and a substantially horizontal overhead position. The door panels are connected together at each extremity by means of similar hinge and strut mechanisms which I have des ignated generally by the numerals. 50, 50a, and 50b. The hinge mechanisms 50 connect the panels42 and 44, and the next adjacent mechanisms 50a connect the panels 44 and 46, while the mechanisms 50b hingedly join the panels 46 and 46.

Each of these mechanisms 50, 50a, and 50b comprises a hinge unit which includes a hinge element 52 which is secured by means of suitable screws or the like to one of the door panels and a companion hinge element 54 which is likewise secured to the adjacent door panel, (see Figures 5 to 7 inclusive and Figure 19). A hinge pin 56 passes through the adjacent cylindrical sections of the hinge elements 52 and 54, and straddling these cylindrical sections and mounted upon opposite extremities ofthe pin 56 is a shackle or strut member 58. This shackle or strut includes elongated side elements 60 which are connected by a bodyportion 62. This strut member .58 is movable about the pin 56 within predetermined limits, which limits are determined by a lug 64 which is struck out of the body portion or plate 62. This lug 64 extends within a circumferential slot or groove 66 which is provided within the cylindrical sectionrof the hinge element 52, the upward swinging movement of the shiftable strut 58 being determined by the engagement of the lug with an abutment 68 at one extremity of the slot 66 and the downward movement by an abutment 10 at the opposite extremity of the slot. The free extremity of each of the side members 60 provides a mounting for a pin 12 which carries at its outer extremity a roller 14, which roller is shiftable withinthe guide rails 82. The outer or free extremity of the body portion 82 of the shiftable strut is adapted to receive one extremity of an actuating rod; thus the shackle or strut 58 of the uppermost mechanism 50 is adapted to receive the upper threaded extremity of an actuating rod I8 which carries adjusting nuts 18, and the lower extremity of this actuating rod I8 is received by the shackle or strut of the mechanism 50a. The upper extremity of an actuating rod 18a is received by the mechanism 50aand the lower extremity by the mechanism 50b, while the upper extremity of an actuating rod 161) is connected to the mechanism 50b, and the lower extremity thereof is secured to a control mechanism 80, later to be described. These actuating rods I81; and 18b serve to impart upward movement to the movable shackle members 58 as the door panels approach the limit of their door opening position, thereby imparting lateral movement to the door panels 42, 44, 48, and 48 toward the door jambs 24. In other words, the shackle or strut members 58 and their companion hinge members 52 and 54 provide a toggle device, and when the shackle members are urged upwardly, the rollers I4 bear against the inner surface 82, Figure 2, and the door panels are positively carried forward and sealed against the door jambs. In this instance, the shackle member serves as a strut which acts between the stationary rail section and the panels so as to firmly secure said panels against the door jamb. The movement of these shackle or strut members 58 is automatically controlled by a panel controlling mechanism 84 which is about to be described. This panel controlling mechanism 84 is similar in many respects to the mechanism shown in the copending application of Douglas A. Wilson, Serial No. 383,301, filed August 3, 1929, but is provided with certain improved structural characteristics which render the same particularly adaptable for use in connection with the panel sealing or closing mechanism forming a part of the present invention. The controlling mechanism 84 includes a pair of straps 86 and 88, Figures 16 and 19, which straddle the shackle member 58, and which are mounted upon the roller carrying pin I2 of the upper hinge and shackle mechanism 50.

These straps 88 and 88 are connected by means of a connecting member 90 to a plate member 02, which extends laterally of the connecting member 90 and carries a roller 95. This roller rides along the outer surface of the guide rail and thus guides the connecting member 80 during the shifting of the door panels. Pivotally mounted to the upper extremity of the connecting member 90 is a rocker arm 94, one extremity of this rocker arm 94 having an adjustable panel engagink member 96 and the opposite extremity thereof provided with a U-shaped arm 98, which is formed with a tapered section I00, Figures 16 to 18 inclusive. A pin I02 is positioned so as to engage the arm 98 when the control mechanism 84 is moved forwardly to the position shown by the dotted lines in Figure 16. The engagement of the arm 98 with this pin I02 causes the adjustable arm 06 to be quickly swung into engagement with the uppermost door panel 42 so as to cause said panel to be tightly sealed against the door jamb, as shown in Figure 16. A pin I02a engages the tapered section I of the arm 08, as clearly shown in Figure 18, so as to prevent the inadvertent rearward movement of the panel 42. For a more detailed description of the functional characteristics of certain portions of the panel controlling mechanism 84, reference is made to the aforementioned copending application.

The arm 98 of the rocker arm 84 is connected to the shiftable strut member 58 of the upper mechanism 50 by means of an actuating rod. I04. The lower extremity of this rod I04 is received by the body portion 82 of the strut member, as clearly shown in Figure 19, and the upper threaded extremity of the rod passes through a swivel eye-bolt or member I08. justing and locking nuts I08 are-provided to adjustably control the degree of movement of the rod I04. The swivel eye-bolt I08 and the adjusting nuts I08 are so disposed with respect to each other that no movement will be imparted to the actuating rod I04 until the rocker arm 94 approaches the limit of its panel closing movement. In other words, an upward movement is imparted to' the actuating rod I04 just as the rocker arm is completing its clockwise panel closing movement, Figure 16, and this upward movement which is experienced by the rod I04 is contemporaneously imparted to the strut members 58 of the mechanisms 50, 50a, and 50b, thereby effecting the automatic sealing of the panels against the door jambs. To instantaneously release the door panels, it is only necessary to impart a very slight upward movement thereto. In fact, an upward movement of onequarter of an inch imparted to the panels is sufficient to release said panels from engagement with the door jambs.

Attention is now directed to the structure shown in Figures 8 to 13 inclusive, wherein I have shown in detail the structural characteristics of the panel controlling mechanism 80 which is mounted at each lowermost corner of the bottom door panel 48. This mechanism includes a bearing plate IIO suitably m'ounted upon the panel 48, and extending outwardly from this bearing plate is a bracket II2 which pivotally supports a strut'member 58a. which is similar in functional characteristics to the shackle or strut member 58 already described. The shiftable strut member 580 is pivotally supported by a pin 56a mounted in the bracket II2, and the freeextremity thereof carries a pin 12a. which supports a roller 14a. Vertically slidable within the bracket II2 is a locking element or plate II 4, and the upper extremity of this plate is connected by means of the actuating rod 18b with the shackle or strut member of the mechanism 50b. The locking member or plate H4 is formed with an outwardly extending finger 8, which is adapted to engage the pin or shaft 12a when said locking member experiences an upward movement, as clearly shown in Figure 10. This causes the lowermost panel 48 to be tightly sealed against the door jamb. When an upward movement is imparted to the lowermost panel, the

Suitable adshackle or strut member- 58a is immediately and automatically released so as to permit the associated elements to occupy the position shown in Figure 11. As the bottom panel reaches the position shown in Figure 13, where it is about to be moved along the curved rail section 34, there is a tendency for the panel 48 to be swun outwardly away from the vertical rail section 84 and toward the door jamb. This lateral swinging of the panel toward the door jamb must be prevented in order to insure suflicient clearance, and this is accomplished by providing an abutment II8 on the locking element II4. It will be noted that this abutment H8 is adapted to be engaged by one edge of the shiftable strut 58a, and this positively prevents the panel 48 from moving toward the door ,1 b. By referring to Figures 9 and 10 it will be seen that the abutment II 8 is positioned well above the shackle or strut member 58a at the time the panel 48 is in its lowermost position, and hence the said shackle'or strut member may be swung sufliciently so as to bring the outer surface of the panel 48 into engagement with the adjacent door jamb. Obviously, numerous other panel controlling or closing mechanisms may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and in this connection attention is directed to, Figures 14 and 15, wherein a modified form of panel controlling mechanism is shown.

The panel controlling or closing mechanism disclosed in Figures 14 and 15 is designated generally by the numeral 80a, and is similar in many respects to the mechanism 80 just described. The only structural features in the mechanism 80a, which differ from the mechanism 80, are the features of the slidable locking member or plate. The mechanism 80a comprises a plate I I4a which is provided at its lower extremity with an extended section I20. As the door panel 48 approaches the limit of its downward movement, this extended or depending section I is carried into engagement with the fioor I22, and as the panel continues to move downwardly, the pin 12a is automatically urged upwardly, thereby causing the panel to be swung laterally toward the door jambs 24. In other words, instead of employing the actuating rod 16b, as described in connection with Figures 8 to 13 inclusive, the modified device shown in Figures 14 and 15 employs the extended section I20. In both devices, the shackle or strut member is automatically moved about its pivotal point in response to the relative movement between the locking member or plate and the door panel. Obviously, means other than the floor and the actuating rods may be provided for imparting movement to the locking means, and it should therefore be clearly understood that my invention is not limited to the specific structure which has been described but is capable of numerous modifications and changes which are comprehended within the scope of the appended claims.

To more clearly understand the operation of the above described door controlling devices, consider, for example, that the door panels occupy their open overhead position. While in this position, the panel lifting elements, such as the counterbalancing springs I24 pulleys I26, and flexible lifting elements or chains I28, are positioned slightly to the left of the position shown in Figure 4. As the panels are shifted forwardly, the lowermost panel 48 is first shifted along the curved rail section 34, and as it is moved downwardly from this curved section, the shackle or strut member 58a engages the abutment II8 of the locking member orplate, as clearly shown in Figure 13. This insures sufficient clearance between the lower edge of the panel 48 and the surfaces of the door jambs. The door panels are successively shifted along the curved section 84 to. thevertical section 36, and the clearance between said panels and the door jambs is sufficient to positively preclude any possibility of binding. In other words, the door panels are freely shiftable without encountering frictional engagement with the door jambs. As the upper panel controlling mechanism 84 reaches the dotted position shown in Figure I8, the U-shaped arm 88 of the rocker arm 84 engages the pin I02, and this causes the upper panel 42 to be quickly swung into closing position toward the door Jambs. During the final movement of the rocker arm, the actuating rod I04 is shifted upwardly a sufllcient distance so as to impart movement to the connected shiftable strut members 58 and 58a, thereby moving said shiftable strut members from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 5. It will be noted that the axis of the roller carrying pin 12 can never be shifted upwardly to a point which would be in horizontal alinement with the axis of the pin the lug 84 which limits the upward movement of the shiftable strut member by engaging the hinge abutment 88. This prevents the movement of the shackle or strut members past dead center, or, in other words, prevents said members from being locked in position. Upon imparting a very slight upward movement to the panels, the shackle members are immediately released, thereby permitting the panels to be moved upwardly without encountering any undue frictional engagement with the door jamb. As the uppermost panel is moved upwardly, it is quickly swung 58 by reason of rearwardly by engaging a deflector I30, and when the panels reach the position shown in Figures 4 and 13, the engagement of the shiftable strut members 58a with the abutment II8 of the locking member II4 serves to prevent movement of the panel 48 toward the door jamb, thereby permitting uninterrupted movement of said panel between open and closed positions.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that my invention contemplates the provision of an overhead door construction, in which hingedly connected door panels may beshifted from a substantially horizontal overhead position to a vertical position and automatically sealed against the door jamb in a very effective manner. It is to be noted that the lower sections of the guide rails are vertical, or, in other words, are in parallelism with the inner surface of the door jambs, and by having the lower rail section vertically disposed the door panels'may be freely shifted adjacent the lambs without experiencing any binding action; that is to say, suflicient clearance is presented between the panels and the door jambs so that, even though the panels or jambs are subjected to expansion, warping, or other distortion, said panels may be freely shifted. The fact that my invention provides, in combination with a fixed vertical rail section, door closing means which does not function until the panels approach the limit of their closing movement, enables said panels to have suihcient running clearance during substantially their entire vertical movement adjacent the door jambs. Doors, such as garage doors, are used during all seasons 01' the year, and hence are subjected to a wide range of climatic conditions. Hence there is constantly a tendency for the parts to experience the above mentioned warping and other distortions. In this connection, attention is directed to the fact that I provide connecting means between the various shackle or strut members which are adjustable. This adjustable feature enables the movement, which is imparted to said struts, to be adjustably controlled. In this manner, variations in surface contour of the panels and door jambs may be compensated for, thereby insuring the perfect sealing of the panels against the lambs at all times. As pointed out above, the shiftable shackle members, which are associated with the hinges as well as the lower portion of the bottom panel, provide positively acting strut members which act between the fixed vertical rail sections and the door panels. Only a very slight movement is required to establish the strutting relation of these members, and a similar slight movement is required to release said members. Therefore only a very slight movement, which takes place during the final closing operation of the door panels, is required to effect the sealing of the panels against the 'door jambs. The controlling mechanism associated with the upper door panel provides a very effective means for controlling the movement of the actuating rods, and the manner in which I have provided the U-shaped portion at the extremity of the rocker arm and the tapered section thereof, serves to positively prevent the inadvertent rearward swinging of the uppermost panel when said panel has been moved to its final closed position. My improved door controlling mechanism is not only efficient in operation, but is structurally designed so as to enable -the same to ,be economically manufactured and to be installed with a minimum amount of effort and skill.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an overhead door construction, a plurality of shiftable door members for traversing a door opening, guiding means for directing the movements of said door members between open and closed positions, said guiding means including an upright section, a door closing means shiftable with respect'to said door members, said means being adapted when shifted with respect to the door members to effect lateral movements thereof toward the door opening, and means for automatically effecting the shifting of said door closing means as an incident to the movement of the door members into closed position.

2. In an overhead door construction, a plurality of shiftable door members for traversing a door opening, guiding means for directing the movements of said door members between open and closed positions, said guiding means including an upright section, mechanism for automatically closing the uppermost door panel, and door closing means shiftably supported relative to the door members and coacting with said upright section of the guiding means to effect lateral movement of the door members toward the door opening, said door closing means being shiftable in response to the movement of the closing mechanism for the uppermost panel.

3. In an overhead door construction, a plurality of shiftable door members for traversing a door' opening, guiding means for directing the movements of said door members between open and closed positions, said guiding means including an upright section, a plurality of pivotal door.

closing devices spaced apart in the direction of movement of the door members with parts operatively associated with the guiding means and adapted when moved about their pivotal points to effect lateral movement of the door members toward the door opening, and means for causing the actuation of said pivotal door closing means automatically in response to the shifting of said door members into closed position.

4. In an overhead door construction, a plurality of shiftable door members for traversing a door opening, guiding means for directing the movements of said door members between open and closed positions, said guiding means including an upright section, door closing means shiftably supported by the door members, said means being adapted when shifted with respect to the door members to effect lateral movement thereof toward the door opening, and adjustable means operable automatically to eifect the shifting of said door closing means as an incident to the giiovement of the door into a predetermined posi- 5. In combination with a structure having a door opening and a door jamb positioned adjacent said opening, an overhead door construction including a guide rail having upright, curved, and substantially horizontal sections, a door member for traversing said door opening, said door member being shiftable along said guide rail, r door closing mechanism positioned at the lower portion of said door member, said mechanism including means shiftably supported by the door member and cooperating with the upright section of the guide rail for effecting lateral movement of the door member toward the door opening, and means for limiting the shifting movement of said door closing means as said door member is moved along the curved section of the guide rail, whereby clearance between the lower portion of the door member and the door jamb is presented.

6. In combination with a shiftable door member for traversing a door opening, means connected with the lower end of said door member for moving said door member laterally toward the door opening, said door moving means including a member shiftable with respect to the door member as said door member approaches the limit of its door closing movement, an abutment spaced from said door member for engaging said door moving means, and means for shifting said door moving means to effect a strutting force between the lower portion of the door member and said abutment.

7. In combination with a plurality of hingedly connected shiftable door members for traversing a door opening, door closing members associated with the hinges of said door members and shiftable with respect thereto, abutment means spaced from said door members for engaging said closing members, means for shifting said closing members to effect a strutting force between said abutment means and said door members and thereby urge said members toward the door opening, and means including an abutment for limiting the shifting movement of said closing members as said members are shifted to their strutting position.

8. In combination with a plurality of hingedly connected door members adapted to be shifted. I between a substantially vertical door closing position and an overhead open position, mechanism for efiecting the closing of the uppermost panel as said door members reach the limit of their downward movement, said closing mechanism including a lever device swingable about an axis to eiIect the sudden lateral movement of the uppermost door panel toward the door opening, an abutment adapted to be engaged by said lever device to efiect the swinging thereof toward the door opening, and a second abutment for preventing inadvertent swinging of the lever device away from the door opening.

9. In combination with a plurality of hingedly connected door members adapted to be shifted between a substantially vertical door closing position and an overhead open position, mechanism for effecting the closing of the uppermost panel as said door members reach the limit of their downward movement, said closing mechanism including a lever device swingable about an axis to effect the sudden lateral movement of the uppermost door panel toward the door opening, an abutment adapted to be engaged by said lever. device to effect the swinging thereof toward the door opening, a second abutment, said lever device having an inclined surface adapted to engage said second abutment when said lever device is moved to its door closing position, said second abutment thereby preventing the inadvertent swinging of said lever device in a direction away from the uppermost door member.

10. In combination with the door opening of a garage or structure of like nature, an overhead door construction including a plurality of hingedly connected door members, guide rails adapted to guide said door members between a substantially vertical door closing position and a horizontal open position, a controlling device forautomatically closing the uppermost door member as said members reach the limit of their lowermost closed position, said controlling device including a lever means, and a support member pivotally carried by the hinge of the uppermost door panel and extending outwardly therefrom and pivotally supporting said lever means.

11. In an overhead door construction, a plurality of shiftable door members for traversing a door opening, guiding means for directing the movements of said door members between opened and closed positions, said guiding means including an upright section, door closing means including a member shiftably supported by one of said door members, and actuating means associated with the lowermost door member which is adapted, as said lowermost door member reaches the limit of its downward movement, to be automatically shifted so as to effect the shifting of said door closing means and thereby cause said lowermost door member to be urged toward the door opening.

12. In combination with shiftable hingedly connected door members for traversing a door opening, door closing means including a shiftable member for exerting a strutting action against at least one of said door members, an abutment positioned at a point approximating the lowermost position which is reached by the lower door member, and actuating means including a member adapted to engage said abutment as the door members approach the limit of their downward movement, said actuating means being coupled with said shiftable door closing means.

13. In an overhead door construction, a plurality of shiftable door members for traversing a door opening, said door members being arranged in abutting relation, guiding means for directing the movements of said door members between opened and closed position, a lever mechanism positioned in the vicinity of the uppermost door member, pivoted door closing members spaced apart in the direction of movement of said door members, and link means connecting said pivoted door closing members with said lever mechanism, said lever mechanism being operative automatically as the door moves into its closed position to actuate said door closing means so as to impart an abrupt lateral movement to the door members.

14. In an overhead door construction, a plurality of connected shiftable door members for traversing a door opening, guiding means for directing the movements of said door members between opened overhead position and closed position, shiftable door closing members spaced apart in the direction of movement of the door members, an actuating lever mechanism, a fixed abutment adapted to be engaged by said lever mechanism as the door members are shifted toward their closed position, and link means connecting said door closing members with said lever mechanism.

15. The combination of a door frame providing an opening, a door adapted for movement edgewise in a plane across said opening and parallel thereto, and means for governing the movement of the door relative to the door frame, including a guide member extending substantially parallel to the door opening, a plurality of crank arms spaced apart in the direction of movement of the door, and a device operable automatically as an incident to the edgewise movement of the door into its closed position to move the crank arms, said arms-acting in such movement to impart to the door an additional relatively abrupt movement in a direction laterally of the door opening.

16. In an overhead door construction, a plurality of hingedly connected shiftable door members for traversing a door opening, guide tracks for directing the movements of said door mem bers in a plane substantially parallel to the door opening, an actuating mechanism including a lever shiftable in response to the movement experienced by said door members, and a plurality of door closing means cooperating with said tracks and automatically operable in response to the movement of said lever to eifect the lateral movement of said door members toward thedoor opening.

17. In an overhead door construction, a door having a plurality of hingedly connected door panels for traversing a door opening, a track including a straight upright section and a section extending rearwardly from the door opening, means on said panels loosely engaging in said track so as to guide the door from a substantially vertical closed position to an overhead open position, an actuating member arranged for movement as an incident to the movement of the door as it approaches its closed position, and means operated by said member in such movement and acting upon all of said panels in the closed position thereof to hold the door tightly sealed against the door jamb. I

18. In an overhead door construction, a plurality of hingedly connected shiftable door members for traversing a door opening, uiding means for directing the movements of said door members between open and closed positions and in-. cluding an upright track section, a plurality of shiftable door closing elements operatively associated with said guiding means at longitudinally spaced points, each of said elements being adapted when shifted to effect lateral movement of the door members toward the door opening, members connecting said door closing elements to effect the contemporaneous movement thereof, and means operating automatically when the doors are moved into closed position with respect to the door opening to actuate said elements in a direction to impart abrupt lateral movement to said door members.

19. The combination of a door having a plurality of panels hinged together in edge-to-edge relation, a door frame providing an opening with an abutment for engagement by marginal edge portions of the panels, a guide track having a section disposed in a plane approximately parallel to the door opening and a section receding therefrom, a plurality of closing elements supported for pivotal movement relative to the door panels and spaced apartin a directional movement of the door, and actuating means for swinging said elements relative to the individual panels automatically as an incident to the edgewlse movement of the door into its closed position, said elements operating in such movement to impart to the individual panels a relatively abrupt lateral movement toward the door opening whereby to carry said marginaledge portions toward said abutment. v

20. The combination of a door frame providing an opening, a door arranged for edgewise movement across said opening, and means for guiding the door in spaced parallel relation to the frame until the doorapproaches the end of its closing movement and operating automatically as an incident to the movement of the door into its closed position to move the door laterally with an abrupt motion toward the frame, said means including a guide member mounted on said frame in spaced parallel relation to said door opening, and a plurality of pivotal elements mounted for turning movement relative to the guide member and coacting therewith at longitudinally spaced points in efiecting said lateral movement of the door.

ALVIN V. ROWE. 

